Tuesday, June 14, 2016

This is my latest hymn hot-off-the-Finale. It is not an homage to Ronald Reagan, but every time I've heard the replay of his speaking these words, I've always thought those four words have significance to the Christian church and her mission and purpose. I've been playing with this text for months now, and it finally "came together" this weekend, and its appearance coincides with the Orlando shootings... not on purpose, but likely by Direction.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Although
considered a patriotic hymn and usually included in that section of
most hymnals, except for one line (“in this free land by thee our lot is
cast”), the remainder of the hymn is about the Almighty God of our
forefathers… having bless-ed little to do with patriotism. It is in every
way a prayer-hymn with a few allusions to our being people of freedom
secured from war by the strong arm of our Protector.

It's use on Sundays related to patriotic holidays strengthens its impact as a Christian hymn
in appreciation for the blessings of living “in this free land.” Some of those national-holiday-related three-day
weekends afford us the opportunity to be refreshed… to step away from
the toilsome way that provides our monetary income. So the fact that the
final stanza begins with that request makes perfectly good sense, don’t
you think?

There are other worthwhile entreaties made in this prayer-hymn:
- Be our Ruler, our Guardian, our Guide.
- May your true religion increase in our hearts.
- Let your Word be our law.
- May we choose your paths, making our way in your direction.
- Grant that we might be nourished by your bountiful goodness.
- Fill our lives with godly love and divine grace.
- Eventually lead us from overwhelming darkness to daylight that never ends.

All
these petitions lead us back to the hymnline for today: give us
refreshment so we can take up the everyday work to which we have
committed ourselves.

By his almighty hand, may God make
these kinds of provisions in our lives – and may we ever express the
glory, laud and praise that alone are due him.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Temptation
is a potent influence. It tugs at us, comes at us from every direction,
pulls us down, wears us out, gives us chase. Most of us know where we
are the most vulnerable – those areas which temptation seems to hold
stronger sway than others.

There are some regions of
my behavior in which I face no temptations. I’m not sure if I’m just
wired to be more resistant there or if I have resisted for so long,
certain temptations have simply given up attacking me!

We
know that inducements to sin are instigated by the Evil One. That’s why
Jesus taught us to pray to be delivered from evil. We may even come to
times when we think we have passed a certain level of dominance over
temptation… like my grandsons conquer levels in their video games. But
even after Jesus’ three-tiered desert encounter with Satan, scripture
tells us that Satan only left him alone for a season. In fact,
if-and-when we think we are exempt, we are likely the most susceptible.

Near-walking with Jesus is our best protection. Even the most compelling distraction from righteousness is over-ridden by the presence of the Holy One.

Remember
how on the old Batman television series those call-outs would pop up on
the screen to indicate the spelled-out sound effects? Bam, zap, bang,
boom, etc. In this case, temptations lose their “pow” when Jesus is
near.

If you haven’t sung this hymn lately, you’re due a
reminder! Sing this refrain to yourself because it is as true as it has
ever been:I need thee, O I need thee. Every hour I need thee. O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)

About Me

A native of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, went to high school with Dolly Parton... and am still friends with her sister Stella who was "most talented" with me in our graduating class of 1967! Was a Southern Baptist for most of my life,am currently affiliated with Cooperative Baptists. Have worked in Baptist and Presbyterian churches - basically consider myself a Baptiterian!

Love words (texts). Am a published hymn-writer, anthem-text writer and composer. Into live theater, museums and antique stores. Enjoy good movies and PBS dramas.

Married to Carlita - Two bonus sons: Dustin,and Clint and his wife Sherry with our two grandsons Kyle and Carson who just happen to live close by!